Abstract:

Two-layered LEO/MEO satellite networks outperform single-layered satellite networks for their better communication service, however, frequent switching of snapshots leads to large computation cost, poor handling capacity of link congestion and node failure. According to the characteristics of LEO/MEO satellite networks, we propose a routing protocol, which can calculate the actual communication overhead between adjacent satellites, estimate the communication overhead between an optional satellite and the destination satellite, and select an optimal path to ensure certain link utilization and low delay. When the link switch or node failure happens, we narrow the searching area. It therefore becomes unnecessary to recalculate the path from the source node to the destination node, and we can just update part of the failed nodes. Simulation results show that the proposal has good performance in reducing establishing paths and reducing link congestion.

Key words: satellite network, path selection, link overhead